Chapter 2: Sakura Avalon

Two days had passed since Harry's dream, and things had started to become normal again. His scar only pricked lightly sometimes and he wasn't having any other dreams. As Harry walked on the pavement of No.4 Privet Drive he decided to look for Misses Figg, his old cat-loving neighbor who, to Harry's surprise had turned out to be a squib (people who have magical parents but don't have magic in them) last summer.

Ron and Hermione rote occasionally and since he had been back for almost a week he couldn't expect much. He was walking as usual on the pavement towards Misses Figg's house when he suddenly saw an owl flying towards his house, a brown owl.

'Probably for instructing her for how best to - stalk me...a...that is...keep an eye on me' he thought feeling a little ashamed of himself for insulting a completely innocent woman who was watching him on orders. 'What the hell?' Misses Figg's door was locked and a small letter read-

To whom it may concern, I've gone to Australia for 2 months. I went on the beginning of October.

'WHAT!' Harry said out loud 'Who's going to keep an eye on me now?' he asked himself And as if answering his question he saw the same brown owl he had seen earlier sitting on his window still. As always uncle Veron gave him no notice (which suited him just fine) he ran up to his room which was located on the first floor. He opened the door and looked at the brown owl, it had very dark brown eyes and a few hints of white on it's feathers. It was carrying four letters which Harry took; thinking one of them might bare the Hogwarts Crest (His Ordinary Wizarding Level (OWL) examination results).

But there was nothing of the sort. There was also a thin package attached to the fourth letter.

He gave a little water to the owl and it took-off out of the window. He opened the first letter and was surprised that even though it did not bare the Hogwarts crest, it was sent by none other by Professor Minerva McGonagall his Transfiguration teacher. He opened the letter and read it-

Deer Mr. Potter,
This is to inform you that the Order has assignment for you. (His heart was thumping against his chest) Professor Dumbledore has informed me about the dream you had two nights ago. You no-doubt have seen Ms. Avalon as she was the one he-who-must-not-be-named tried to murder. ('YOU DAMN RIGHT I DO!!' he thought) The ministry of magic and the Order of the Phoenix have decided that Ms. Avalon will be re-located to your address and share your home ('WHAT!! She'll be sharing my room' He suddenly became even more nervous) and live with you until the end of the summer holidays. When the new term begins she will accompany you to Hogwarts. Your assignment is to befriend Ms. Avalon and accompany her to Hogwarts. She will be admitted in your year. (WHAT? They can't do that! Can they?) Your assignment objective is simple – Protect yourself and Ms. Avalon at all costs. She will be arriving at your residence at exactly 5:00 PM today. (Harry glanced at his watch, it read 3:00 PM. He would have to tell Uncle Veeron and Aunt Petunia immediately). For this assignment you have been granted some privileges. Use them as you see fit. Take care of your self.

Sincerely, Deputy Headmistress, Professor Minerva McGonagall

'What privileges?' thought Harry 'And why did they choose my house, they've just given Dudley the privilege to tease me!' he muttered to himself, as he opened the other letter. It was from Ron!

Deer Harry,
How are you? Dumbledore just told us about your dream and what you saw in it. They even told about re-locating the girl. Seems like Voldemort murdered her parents and even her boy-friend, so she's single and she's coming to live with you in your house, for three months. You two have a lot in common, as I see it, so GO FOR IT! (Ron, you idiot! She's just had her family murdered by Voldemort; do you really think that she'd be friends with the guy who literally saw him KILL her parents?) Hope muggles are treating you well. P.S – Hermione says "Hi".

Your friend, Ron

Harry reluctantly opened the next letter and was surprised to see that it was from Neville Logbottom.

Hi Harry,
Hope you're fine. Gram's furiously proud about what happened last summer. This means she's proud of me but she's furious with me too. Anyway the reason I wrote is to say thanks for saving my life many times last summer. Hope you have a good summer.

Your Friend, Neville

Harry feeling a huge rush of gratitude for Neville opened the fourth and last package. It was a peace of parchment which read-

Special Circumstances Certificate – Underage Magic

This is to certify that Harry Potter of No.4 Privet Drive that He/She can perform the following spells- Expecto Patronum – For extreme emergencies Expelliarmus Incendio – For memory purposes Lumos Nox Petrificus Totalus Obliviate Reductor Curse Rictusempra Shield Charm Stupefy If any of these spells HAVE to be preformed in view of muggle(s) the Obliviate spell MUST be used to cleat their memorie(s). These rules will be put into affect at 5:00 PM. The spells may be used as seen fit. The spells are for defensive purposes ONLY. The duration of this liberty is – 1st August to 1st September

Signed, Cornelius Fudge, Minister of Magic

It took a few moments for Harry to realize what he had read and for it to actually Sink-in. They had just given him the freedom to do magic out of school and even in front of Muggles, with the right precautions. Harry looked at his clock - 3:35 PM – he'd better tell his aunt and uncle soon.

He was definitely not looking forward to this; he thought there was something strange about letting a girl sleep in his room, especially a girl his age and a girl he didn't even know. He could see Dudley gulping down the contents like a Pig. He went to the kitchen and as always he was ignored by everyone. 'uh...uncle Veron,'

'What is it boy?' said uncle Veron aggressively

'Err...well...today I got a letter from a certain organization. They've given me a...sort of summer assignment.' He finished nervously.

Dudley immediately let go of his lunch (or what was left of it) and Aunt Petunia turned around and focused her attention on Harry.

'And what kink of assignment is this, boy?' asked uncle Veron.

'Well...it's a protection assignment in which-?'

'What kind of protection assignment? You better not bring any of your lot in our house' he finished dangerously.

'Well actually, we have to keep the person I have to protect here for about three weeks-'

'WHAT?' he barked at him

'Veron, please! The neighbors might be listening.' squealed aunt petunia

'-after which the person will go to the "freak school" with me.' Harry finished

'And if we disagree to this? Then what? Boy?' barked uncle Veron

'My lot will come and go as they please, five days a week' Harry told them (smiling dangerously). He saw the look of absolute terror on Dudley's face (which he quite enjoyed).

'So, when is he, the boy you're trying to protect getting here?' Uncle Veron said in a mixed voice of fear and anger. Harry's joy immediately vanished; he definitely didn't want to say this to the whole family. But now he had to.

'Well...that's kind-of the thing,' Harry said feeling a little hot around the collar. (AN- What!? You tell me how you'd tell your parents/guardians that "there's a girl my age coming over in 2 hours, who's gorgeous and who's going to stay in my house and sleep in my bedroom for the next three weeks and I barely know her"?).

'What thing?' asked uncle Veron. Dudley was holding his fork in mid-air, stupidly staring at the pair of them. Aunt petunia was watching them like a hawk

'Well...Err...' Harry's face was growing hotter; what he wouldn't give to run out of the kitchen right now, 'you see, it's not a "He", it's a "She"' Harry finished, feeling very nervous as to what his uncle's reaction might be.

The kitchen went silent.

Aunt Petunia's mouth fell open, Uncle Veron just stared, until Dudley dropped his fork with a sudden 'Klink' on the table which jerked them all back to reality.

'Well boy, what's her name then?' his uncle suddenly used a little softer tone of voice (to Harry's surprise).

'Sakura Avalon' answered Harry, who had seen that lion thing call the girl in his dream Sakura.

'"Sakura?", Who would name their daughter "Sakura"?' asked Dudley stupidly staring at the floor. Harry immediately knew what was going on. For the first time, Harry got the slightest hint of his cousin not being a full pig, 'but he still is a partial pig' Harry thought. He had to use tremendous effort to stifle his laugh. Dudley was actually showing signs of puberty, he was really trying to act as though he was just mildly interested, but Harry knew better. Harry knew perfectly well that Dudley hadn't been able to get a girl-friend of his own since the seventh grade (he told his parents that he was too busy for girls when he was studying hard, yeah right. The Dursleys even believed him!). He was actually jealous!

Harry just couldn't contain his joy, as he curled his lip in a mischievous smile (still staring at Dudley).

'"Sakura", hmm...sounds like a Japanese name to me' said Aunt Petunia

'It is, she lived in Japan until she was attacked' Harry immediately realized his mistake. He shouldn't have told them that she had been attacked.

'She was WHAT!?' Yelled Uncle Veron

'Attacked' replied Harry

'HOW?' asked Dudley who sounded a bit concerned (Harry smiled again). Even the Dursleys noticed the change in him; both Harry's aunt and uncle were staring at their son.

'Well...you all know about Voldemort; you know the guy who killed my parents,' the Dursleys suddenly looked like they just remembered who he was. 'He actually staged an attacked at her house, with two of his companions. He killed two men. (They looked scared) One was her father and the other was her father. (The Dudleys suddenly looked very pale; as though expecting an attack here) He also killed a boy, just about my age who I think was the girl's boyfriend (Dudley let out an audible whimper, at this).

'That's why they are bringing her here, because my family blood keeps me protected in this house, and if she's with me, Voldemort can't touch her.'

'All right boy! You can bring your friend here, but keep her hidden at all times, we don't want another incident like last year, do we?' he said dangerously

'No sir' Harry replied

'Good, now when is she getting here?'

Harry glanced at the wall clock – 4:30 PM – by the dot.

'Half an hour left.' He said Cooley

'WHAT?' he suddenly became angry, 'Why didn't you tell us earlier? Petunia! Hurry up; hide the valuable items and the credit cards and for god sakes – open the damn Fire place! You remember how they came here last time!'

'Well, at least they're still normally.' Thought Harry miserably.

**

Harry wasn't quite sure how the visitors were going to arrive. But Flo- Powder seemed to be the most probable way.

- 5:00 PM –

Harry was getting anxious now. Staring at the now newly reopened fire-place he could feel his palms sweating.

Suddenly there was some rumbling in the fire-place. Emerald flames burst open and out came a tall man with a slightly pale face, brushing off ash from his shabby old robes. 'Hullo Harry, nice to see you again' He said casting a glance towards Harry's aunt and uncle, who certainly did not expect a man to come out first.

'It's good to see you too, Professor Lupin' said Harry, 'Where is the girl?' The professor smiled and said, 'she was a little nervous about traveling by flo powder'

'I know the felling' said Harry remembering the first time he traveled by Flo powder. They laughed a little. Hello, my name is Reamus Lupin. I was Harry's Defense Against the Dark Arts (DADA) teacher in his third year at Hogwarts.'

Both his uncle and aunt flinched. Professor Lupin looked quite pleased with himself. Both Harry and the professor laughed. Just then green emerald flames erupted from the fire place and out fell a girl of about Harry's height with a high pitched, 'AHHHH'.

She had honey colored hair and brown eyes, and even though her face was covered in suit, she looked quite pretty. She was wearing a white (now grey) T-Shirt and navy blue jeans. She gave a sort of moan and then coughed. Harry immediately bent down to help her up. When she got up, (Harry was still holding her hands) she just stared at Harry and smiled. Harry suddenly felt himself blush a little and he immediately let go of her hands and looked at the floor. She did the same when she realized what was going on.

'Harry Potter, meet Sakura Avalon.' Said professor Lupin.